GENEVA, 13 June, 2016 (IOM): International Organization for Migration (IOM) Director General William Lacy Swing on Monday met with Peoples Republic of China Vice Foreign Minister Wang Chao who delivered a letter of application for membership in IOM.
“China’s membership in IOM is crucial towards growing the Organization’s global significance,” Ambassador Swing said after his meeting with Vice Foreign Minister Wang.
Ambassador Swing briefed the Vice Minister on IOM arrangements and procedures for admission of new members. He also discussed global migration and the migrant situation in Europe, as well as preparations for the upcoming 19 September UN Summit on large scale movement of migrants and refugees.
Vice Minister Wang expressed China’s recognition of IOM's role and contributions in managing migration worldwide. The Vice Minister saw three areas for future cooperation with IOM: capacity building and regional border management; disaster prevention/disaster management and integration of migrants.
China’s application will bring to 165 the number of states enjoying member status with IOM, which this year will observe its 65th anniversary.
China’s application for membership comes during preparations for the June 30 special session of the IOM Council in Geneva, which will consider approval by IOM’s member states of the Organization’s joining the United Nations.
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Established in 1951, IOM is the leading inter-governmental organization in the field of migration and works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners.
With 162 member states, a further 9 states holding observer status and offices in over 100 countries, IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.
IOM works to help ensure the orderly and humane management of migration, to promote international cooperation on migration issues, to assist in the search for practical solutions to migration problems and to provide humanitarian assistance to migrants in need, including refugees and internally displaced people.
The IOM Constitution recognizes the link between migration and economic, social and cultural development, as well as to the right of freedom of movement.
IOM works in the four broad areas of migration management:
- Migration and development
- Facilitating migration
- Regulating migration
- Forced migration.
IOM activities that cut across these areas include the promotion of international migration law, policy debate and guidance, protection of migrants' rights, migration health and the gender dimension of migration.
